Pegunungan Bintang — Joint security personnel are continuing intensive efforts in handling the killing of gold miners in Awimbon District, Pegunungan Bintang Regency, Highland Papua Province, with priority given to victim evacuation, the search for survivors, and the pursuit of the perpetrators.
Based on preliminary data gathered by authorities, the death toll has reached 10 people. However, the number could rise as several miners are still believed to be hiding in the forest surrounding the incident site.
Initial investigations and analysis of circulating video footage indicate that the perpetrators are suspected to be members of the Armed Criminal Group (KKB) of the Yamue Battalion led by Ronald Hiluka, also known as Dejang Hiluka. The group is estimated to consist of around 15 members armed with one AR-15 rifle and several homemade firearms.
The 2026 Cartenz Peace Operation Task Force, together with regional leadership coordination forum (Forkopimda) elements from Boven Digoel Regency, continues coordinating efforts to support the investigation, secure the area, and accelerate the evacuation process. Authorities are also deepening investigations into the group’s network and collecting evidence for law enforcement purposes.
Although the incident occurred in Pegunungan Bintang Regency, access to the location is reportedly closer through Tanah Merah in Boven Digoel Regency. However, the dense forest and difficult terrain have become major challenges for personnel on the ground.
To reach the site, joint personnel are opening pathways through the forest. A forward post and temporary evacuation point have also been established in Tanah Merah to speed up search and evacuation operations.
In addition to evacuating the deceased victims, authorities are continuing search and rescue operations for survivors who are still believed to be hiding in the forested area around the scene.
Head of the 2026 Cartenz Peace Operation, Inspector General Faizal Ramadhani, stated that all personnel would maximize evacuation and investigative efforts to ensure the situation remains under control and victims can be located immediately.
“Our main priority at this time is rescuing survivors, evacuating the deceased victims, and pursuing the perpetrators professionally and in a measured manner,” Faizal Ramadhani said.
He added that the difficult terrain presents significant operational challenges, and therefore all personnel have been instructed to prioritize safety while carrying out their duties.
Meanwhile, Deputy Head of the 2026 Cartenz Peace Operation, Senior Commissioner Adarma Sinaga, urged the public not to engage in illegal gold panning or mining activities in conflict-prone areas.
“We urge the public not to conduct illegal mining or gold panning activities in areas with a high level of security risk because they pose serious dangers to personal safety,” Adarma Sinaga said.
According to him, the area is part of a protected forest zone with no officially authorized activities and has frequently become the site of security disturbances carried out by armed criminal groups.
Similarly, Head of Public Relations Task Force for the 2026 Cartenz Peace Operation, Senior Commissioner Yusuf Sutejo, during a media briefing on Thursday (May 22), called on the public to remain calm and avoid being provoked by unverified information.
“We ask the public to remain calm, not be easily provoked by unverified information, and support the handling process currently being carried out by security personnel on the ground,” Yusuf Sutejo stated.
He emphasized that security forces continue working to maintain a conducive situation while ensuring evacuation and rescue efforts proceed optimally.
Authorities stated that similar incidents have repeatedly occurred in the area, which is considered highly vulnerable. Besides being located within protected forest territory with no official activities, the region has frequently been the site of terror attacks, assaults, violent threats, and killings allegedly carried out by armed criminal groups seeking to demonstrate their existence at both national and international levels.
